Imagine: Dwight Eisenhower, in 1956, wants to push from view Adlai Stevenson's prospects for reclaiming the White House for the Democratic Party. Ike darkens his brow and comes forth: "He called me 'Mr. Meltdown.' Let me tell you something, last night during the debate, he went backstage, and he was having a meltdown. First, he had this little makeup thing applying, like, makeup around his mustache, because he had one of those sweat mustaches. Then he asked for a full-length mirror … maybe to make sure his pants weren't wet."
Many longtime residents of San Francisco, Miami and other hot U.S. cities complain of "Manhattanization" when developers put up 20- or 30-story apartment complexes. In Portland, Oregon, they're debating the wisdom of 40 stories.
They should try 100 stories on for size — or not, if they value the amenities of urban life. That's the height of a megatower proposed for downtown Seattle. It was "downsized" from 102 stories after aviation authorities warned the tower could interfere with air traffic.
